A last-gasp, one wicket victory over Fletching steered Chiddingly to the championship in a fitting and thrilling finale to the season.

Three teams harboured title ambitions with only six points separating them at the top but Chiddingly's 30-point maximum made sure neither Ringmer nor The Boards could overhaul them.

The season had built to a climax and the final fixtures did not disappoint as Chiddingly dismissed Fletching for 131 with Evan Richardson (3-25), Tim Hinchcliffe (3-29) and Simon Baillie-Hamilton (3-44) doing the damage.

Darren Howard and Dave Ellis put on 50 for the first wicket but the batting then collapsed to 82-6 as Terry Lucas (5-41) caused panic among the ranks. However, Chiddingly recovered to needing four off the last over, then one off the last ball and a scrambled leg-bye ensured glory.

Vice-captain Darren Howard said: "It was a cracking match to clinch the title."

One spectator watching the dramatic finale was Ringmer's Dave Smith, who had hightailed it to Fletching after his second-placed side had clinched a maximum points victory over Newick having dismissed the visitors for 94 with Murray Barnett (3-5) and Colin Coddington (3-25) combining well. Dave Peacock's 43 steered Ringmer to their eight-wicket win and to runners-up spot.

The Boards made 223-4 and declared after 45 overs against Rye with James Bentley (73 not out), Greg Osborne (52 not out) and Terry Penfold (47) leading the batting. Rye batted out a draw with Nigel Hacking hitting 44 as they reached 164-8 despite Jamie Sykes taking 5-32.

The drama was not just consigned to the top of the table as St Peters were relegated when they lost to already doomed Seaford by 51 runs having allowed their hosts to make 249-2 with John Reynolds cracking a superb 150 not out and Karl Wootten adding 59. Jon Armitage hit 84 but fellow youngster Chris Stanyard took 7-54 as St Peters capitulated.

The ten points were not enough to lift St Peters above Newick, who survive the drop.

Ditchling made 146-9 with Jonny Atkinson hitting 47 and Patrick Nolan 39 as Graham Bennett took 4-46, but Herstmonceux forced a draw as Mike Pannett (39) helped steer them to 126-8 despite the efforts of Larry Robeson (5-26).